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Understanding 9/11The Benefactress
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LibriVox recording of The Benefactress by Elizabeth von Arnim.
Read in English by Helen Taylor
Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. Turning down all offers of marriage, scornful at the thought of leaning on a man for help and comfort, she thinks only of the independence which seems an impossible dream. But out of the blue Uncle Joachim, her mother's brother, leaves her a handsome property in Germany. Her longed for independence is within her grasp, and though it's a rocky beginning with the locals, she loves her new home. Keen to use her new-found wealth for the benefit of others, she embarks on a plan to throw open her doors to distressed gentlewomen - a project which takes a far greater physical and emotional toll than she could have imagined. Although she maintains that she is not interested in men, might the friendship of her neighbouring landowner, Axel Lohm, make her new life a little easier to bear?...
A warm, charming story which is packed with Elizabeth von Arnim's trademark humour and wry observation of character. It's also a perceptive critique of society's constraints on women, holding up a glass to all the artfulness and falseness of 'femininity' - but despite its strong feminist overtones, it manages simultaneously to be a wonderful romantic comedy! - Summary by Helen Taylor
For further information, including links to online text, reader information, RSS feeds, CD cover or other formats (if available), please go to the LibriVox catalog page for this recording.
For more free audio books or to become a volunteer reader, visit LibriVox.org.
Download M4B 01-15 (165MB) Download M4B 16-32 (152MB)
Read in English by Helen Taylor
Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. Turning down all offers of marriage, scornful at the thought of leaning on a man for help and comfort, she thinks only of the independence which seems an impossible dream. But out of the blue Uncle Joachim, her mother's brother, leaves her a handsome property in Germany. Her longed for independence is within her grasp, and though it's a rocky beginning with the locals, she loves her new home. Keen to use her new-found wealth for the benefit of others, she embarks on a plan to throw open her doors to distressed gentlewomen - a project which takes a far greater physical and emotional toll than she could have imagined. Although she maintains that she is not interested in men, might the friendship of her neighbouring landowner, Axel Lohm, make her new life a little easier to bear?...
A warm, charming story which is packed with Elizabeth von Arnim's trademark humour and wry observation of character. It's also a perceptive critique of society's constraints on women, holding up a glass to all the artfulness and falseness of 'femininity' - but despite its strong feminist overtones, it manages simultaneously to be a wonderful romantic comedy! - Summary by Helen Taylor
For further information, including links to online text, reader information, RSS feeds, CD cover or other formats (if available), please go to the LibriVox catalog page for this recording.
For more free audio books or to become a volunteer reader, visit LibriVox.org.
Download M4B 01-15 (165MB) Download M4B 16-32 (152MB)
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urn:storj:bucket:jvrrslrv7u4ubxymktudgzt3hnpq:benefactress_1409_librivox
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Reviews
Reviewer:
Micheleanna
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
February 20, 2016
Subject: Thank you Helen Taylor
Subject: Thank you Helen Taylor
A delightful reading of a good story. It's a light little tale and has plenty of the Arnim charm and insight to keep it interesting.
Reviewer:
Dixie8
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
October 5, 2015
Subject: Excellent reader makes for an interesting read
Subject: Excellent reader makes for an interesting read
This is truly a quality reading from a very expressive reader and I enjoyed listening to this book very much.
The Benefactress is another good example of Elizabeth Von Arnim's evocative prose which really captures the imagination, and the reader of this audiobook interprets the mood and characters pretty flawlessly in my opinion.
The Benefactress is another good example of Elizabeth Von Arnim's evocative prose which really captures the imagination, and the reader of this audiobook interprets the mood and characters pretty flawlessly in my opinion.
Reviewer:
TwinkieToes
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
January 12, 2015
Subject: Enjoyable Book, Enjoyable Reader
Subject: Enjoyable Book, Enjoyable Reader
I thoroughly enjoyed the book. In the end, I didn't see the "a woman needs a man" line of thought as being supported by this book. I think that in this story, the man needed the woman as much as the woman needed the man; and only when the woman saw that she could help the man in a way no one else could or would, did she take the final step she did. (I'm trying to not say too much!)
I was going to do some work today; instead, I finished listening to the book. That's how good I considered it. :)
Very enjoyable reader as well. Thanks for sharing this with us!
I was going to do some work today; instead, I finished listening to the book. That's how good I considered it. :)
Very enjoyable reader as well. Thanks for sharing this with us!
Reviewer:
Helsbelles
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December 10, 2014
Subject: Future recordings
Subject: Future recordings
Hi - I'm the reader of this book. If you enjoy it and would like to know when more of my recordings are published, please follow me on Twitter @111Hels for news of new books!
Reviewer:
TheBookworm
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
October 27, 2014
Subject: Great reading...
Subject: Great reading...
... and a good book. The author's experience marrying into Pomeranian aristocracy give the story more than a touch of authenticity.
I enjoyed it... but have to say that some of the undertones are hard to take. Von Armin's own history makes me wonder about the 'a woman needs a man to complete her' message in this book. And the anti-Semitic stuff was unsettling considering the Dreyfus affair (the book was published in 1901) and what was to come in the 1930s. It's best to take the attitude that von Arnim (an Aussie) was just being ethnographic and leave it there.
Helen Taylor is a great reader! Characterization, tone, speed -- everything is just as you'd want it. Hard to believe i didn't have to pay for this because it's of high professional quality. More please!
TheBookworm (Manchester, UK)
I enjoyed it... but have to say that some of the undertones are hard to take. Von Armin's own history makes me wonder about the 'a woman needs a man to complete her' message in this book. And the anti-Semitic stuff was unsettling considering the Dreyfus affair (the book was published in 1901) and what was to come in the 1930s. It's best to take the attitude that von Arnim (an Aussie) was just being ethnographic and leave it there.
Helen Taylor is a great reader! Characterization, tone, speed -- everything is just as you'd want it. Hard to believe i didn't have to pay for this because it's of high professional quality. More please!
TheBookworm (Manchester, UK)
Reviewer:
sarahm
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
October 9, 2014
Subject: Excellent Recording
Subject: Excellent Recording
If I were only reviewing the quality of the recording this would be an enthusiastic 5 stars. Helen Taylor is an absolute treasure.
Regarding the novel, however, I realize this is one of Elizabeth von Arnim's earlier works. Yes, there is certainly humor and interesting characters. But in no way does it compare to The Enchanted April or even Vera, in my opinion. We are left with too many loose threads at the end. Our heroine's motives are sometimes too inexplicable. Having said this, there is plenty to enjoy in this novel.
For fans of The Enchanted April I should mention that some aspects of this novel seem to foreshadow that later work. I see the genesis of ideas that were better fulfilled in The Enchanted April.
If given the option I would give the reading 5 stars and the novel 4 stars. Since I do not have that option I must go with quality of recording and say 5 stars.
Regarding the novel, however, I realize this is one of Elizabeth von Arnim's earlier works. Yes, there is certainly humor and interesting characters. But in no way does it compare to The Enchanted April or even Vera, in my opinion. We are left with too many loose threads at the end. Our heroine's motives are sometimes too inexplicable. Having said this, there is plenty to enjoy in this novel.
For fans of The Enchanted April I should mention that some aspects of this novel seem to foreshadow that later work. I see the genesis of ideas that were better fulfilled in The Enchanted April.
If given the option I would give the reading 5 stars and the novel 4 stars. Since I do not have that option I must go with quality of recording and say 5 stars.
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